On December 5 last year, a group of our youth and young adult leaders from the diocese, in partnership with NZCMS, began a two-week ministry encounter trip in Fiji. This journey wasn't just about exploring a new country, it was a leap of faith into ministry, mission and cultural connection.
The trip was the culmination of eighteen months of dreaming, planning and training, and boy did our young people have an amazing experience!
Recently, I sat down with a few of the youth and team leaders to hear about their time over there.
Hana expressed a lifelong draw to Fiji. “I've had a calling on my heart to go to Fiji since I was two years old. To go with a godly purpose is something that really enticed me.”
Nina was motivated to go on the trip to connect with her family's missionary legacy in Fiji. She called it “an amazing opportunity to see how God works over there”.
When signing up for the trip, Jamie wanted to experience God in a new environment – “to see what God was like in a different community”.
The team leaders were excited to see young people experiencing God in a different culture. They hoped the trip would connect them with the Fijian youth over there and broaden their perspectives of faith and church expression.
It was encouraging to hear the team talk about their experiences. The trip seemed to foster a deeper connection both among themselves and with the Fijian people.
“When we were travelling, someone would have a guitar, and we'd all be singing songs,” Nina said.
Joel connected deeply with the house visits. "I really enjoyed the house visits because we got to see how each family did their things."
These visits not only showcased Fijian daily life but encouraged both the locals and visitors through shared testimonies and preaching. “I think my faith grew by hearing other people's testimonies and stories from over there,” Jamie said.
The team was quick to make it clear that community is significant in Fiji culture.
Marzi, one of the team leaders, was struck by the welcoming nature of the locals and their intentionality in forming connections. “They make eye contact with you on purpose. It was so different from what you might experience here in New Zealand.”
Renata, another leader, appreciated their community spirit and love of hospitality. “There would always be food involved!”
It deepened faith, broadened cultural horizons, and taught all of them a greater value of community.
Thank you to everyone who supported this journey through prayers and financial contributions. Your support has been instrumental in making this extraordinary experience possible.
Vinaka vaka levu!
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
On December 5 last year, a group of our youth and young adult leaders from the diocese, in partnership with NZCMS, began a two-week ministry encounter trip in Fiji. This journey wasn't just about exploring a new country, it was a leap of faith into ministry, mission and cultural connection.
The trip was the culmination of eighteen months of dreaming, planning and training, and boy did our young people have an amazing experience!
Recently, I sat down with a few of the youth and team leaders to hear about their time over there.
Hana expressed a lifelong draw to Fiji. “I've had a calling on my heart to go to Fiji since I was two years old. To go with a godly purpose is something that really enticed me.”
Nina was motivated to go on the trip to connect with her family's missionary legacy in Fiji. She called it “an amazing opportunity to see how God works over there”.
When signing up for the trip, Jamie wanted to experience God in a new environment – “to see what God was like in a different community”.
The team leaders were excited to see young people experiencing God in a different culture. They hoped the trip would connect them with the Fijian youth over there and broaden their perspectives of faith and church expression.
It was encouraging to hear the team talk about their experiences. The trip seemed to foster a deeper connection both among themselves and with the Fijian people.
“When we were travelling, someone would have a guitar, and we'd all be singing songs,” Nina said.
Joel connected deeply with the house visits. "I really enjoyed the house visits because we got to see how each family did their things."
These visits not only showcased Fijian daily life but encouraged both the locals and visitors through shared testimonies and preaching. “I think my faith grew by hearing other people's testimonies and stories from over there,” Jamie said.
The team was quick to make it clear that community is significant in Fiji culture.
Marzi, one of the team leaders, was struck by the welcoming nature of the locals and their intentionality in forming connections. “They make eye contact with you on purpose. It was so different from what you might experience here in New Zealand.”
Renata, another leader, appreciated their community spirit and love of hospitality. “There would always be food involved!”
It deepened faith, broadened cultural horizons, and taught all of them a greater value of community.
Thank you to everyone who supported this journey through prayers and financial contributions. Your support has been instrumental in making this extraordinary experience possible.
Vinaka vaka levu!
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
